Wrapping-machine.



H. S. WILSON. WRAPPING MACHINE. APPLIOATION H 131) rnn.zd, 1910.

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nted June 27, 1911.

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H. S. WILSON. WRAPPING MAUHINE. APPLICATION FILED IEB.28, 1910. 996 1 87.

Patented June 27 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. s. WILSON. 1 WRAPPING MACHINE. 1

APPLICATION FILED FEB.28, 1910.

Patented June 27, 1911.

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111111111 aLfllli-wumnuuua H. S. WILSON. WRAPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 111E128, 1910.

Patented June27, 1911.

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1. W QWN N H. S. WILSON.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Emma, 1910.

Patented June 27, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

H. S. WILSON.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

v APPLIOATION FILED I'EB.28, 1910.

l/VVE/VTd /B' I mam 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

RN Q xWN Patented June 27, 1911.

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w 1 11 11 1 nHH HuuHu H Hnuwflm u mmm l ml l mm mu wmmw nmwwwwmwmmwmmmwww wwmwwmnm wmmmmwmmmmmwwwmmwwmmnmw wmwmwmmwwwmwhwwHH HMHNH U N\ WN 1 m wmw WWMMMWMWMW .il 1 HHHnH H H I I I I I I I I IHH HI IHIHH H l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l h H H Uh H I I I I I F I l ATTESZ' 52% NITED srarns HERBERT STERLING WILSON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

. WRAPPING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT STERLING WILSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of thecity of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in VVrapping-Machines, of which the following is a specifi- 1 for wrapping cubical pieces which are substantially rectangular in cross and longitudinal section and of somewhat irregular shapes and sizes, such a sloaves of bread, cakes and other goods which it is desirable to inclose in" a wrapper.

The principal objects of the invention are to produce a machine which will automatically wrap pieces of the above character in a neat and uniform manner, and to attain certainadvantages hereinafter more fully appearing.

The invention consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification andwherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a wrapping machine 7 embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the main carrier; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4l4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is-a fragmentary plan view showing the actuating devices for the folders on the main carrier; Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the main carrier showing the mechanism of the infolding devices for the side portions of the end flaps, on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5-; Fig. 7 is a transverse section showingthe mechanism of the side folders, on the line 77 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing the cooperative relation of the camtracks and actuating devices for the top folder brushes; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary inverted plan view of the mechanism of the top folder brushes; Fig. lO-is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section showing the cooperative relation of the parts of the main carrier and the carrier for thetop folder brushes; Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section through the portions of the carriers shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the carrier for the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 27, 1911 Application filed February 28, 1910. Serial No. 546,308.

folders for the top end'folds; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section showing the mechanism of the end folders; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal vertical section of the parts shown in Figs. 12 and 13; Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the cam-track arrangement for the brush folder actuating mechanism; Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view showing the cam-track arrangement for the top end folder actuating mechanism; Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of the cam-track arrangement for the folder actuating'mechanism on the main carrier; and Figs. 18 to 24, inclusive, are schematic views showing the progressive stages in folding a wrapper.

The machine comprises a horizontal elongated main frame 1 at the opposite ends of which are ournaled transverse shafts 2. On the opposite end portions of each of these shafts are mounted sprocket wheels 3 around which are carried a pair of endless chains or belts 4. The two chains 4 are connected at regular intervals by transverse bars or cross rods 5. The transverse bars or cross rods are arranged in pairs and on each pair is mounted a flat plate or tray 6. The plate or tray 6 is fixedly secured at one end to one trays or plates to take the turn at the ends ofthe frame 1 That is, the flexible chains and the cross bars travel aroundthe ripheries of the sprocket wheels while the tray or plate assumes a 'chordal position with respect to the are between the two cross bars ,upon which the plate is mounted. On one of the shafts 2 is a pulley 7 which is adapted to receive a driving belt, not (shown,

or the power may be applied in any other obvious manner. The carrier or'traveling table may be supported between the end sprocket wheels in any desirable manner, but

preferably by angle irons 8 which are secured along the inner side of the frame 1 so that the chains 4 travelv thereon.

On each of the trays or plates 6 arepivotally mounted a pair of oppositely disposed v plate and are adapted to be turned up so as to stand substantially perpendicular with respect to the face of the plate. These leaves are preferably rovided with lateral end extensions 10 whlch are passed through openings 11 in the plate and are secured to sleeves 12 which are rotatably fitted on shafts 13 which are disposed longitudinally on the underside of the plate 6. Fixedly mounted on the shafts 13 near the opposite ends thereof and adjacent to the ends of the leaves 9 are members 14 which are arranged to work through transverse slots 15 in the plate so that they may be located normally below the upper face of the plate and folded upwardly and toward each other to fold the opposite sides of the end-fold portions of the wrapper inwardly. Leaves or folding members 16 are also pivotally mounted at opposite points longitudinally of the carrier and adjacent to the folders 14. 1

Each of the shafts 13 on the underside of the plate 6 has fixed thereon a pinion 17 which meshes with the teeth 18 of a reciprocatory rack-bar 19. As the two shafts 13 have to be rotated in opposite directions to actuate the end folder members 14, the rackbar 19 is offset so that the teeth 18 which mesh with the pinions 17 are respectively above and below the pinions. The rackbar is also provided with a series of teeth 20 which are adapted to mesh with the teeth on ,a sector 21. This sector is pivoted on the underside of the plate 6 and has a lever extension 22 which is connected by a spring 23 to a stud or some stationary part on the plate 6. By this arrangement, the sector 21 is restored to normal position and through the medium ofthe rack-bar and pinions on the shafts, the end folder members 14 are restored and yieldingly held in normal po sition. The sleeves 12 which are rotatably mounted on the shafts 13 and have the side folder members 9 secured thereon, each have a pinion 24 fixed thereon which engages teeth on the opposite faces of an offset rackbar 25 which is similar to the bar 19. This rack-ba1'25 is also actuated by a sector 26 which has a lever extension 27. Aspring 28 is provided for restoring the parts and yieldingly holdin sition. The endold leaves or members 16 are mounted on shafts 29 which are disposed transverselyon the underside of the plate 6 and they are likewise provided with pinions 30 which engage teeth on an offset rack-bar 31. This rack-bar 31 is actuated by a sector 32 having a lever extension 33 which is connected by a spring 34 to a stud or stationary part of the plate. On each of the leverextensions of the respective actuating sectors is a stud or roller 35 which is. adapted to travel in trackways 36, 36 and36", respecthe same in normal 'potively, provided therefor on the frame. The

trackways are preferabl channels which have offset portions 37, 31 and 37 respectively, arranged at proper points to constitute cams for actuating the sectors. These offset or cam portions 37, 37 and 37 are so proportioned and located with respect to each other that the various folding leaves or members are actuated at the proper time.

Mounted upon the frame 1 above the main carrier or traveling table is a supplemental carrier. This supplemental carrier, like the main carrier, comprises sprocket wheels 38 over which are passed a pair of endless chains 39 which are connected by cross bars 40. The bars have mounted thereon a series of plates or units 41 in a manner similar to the lower or main carrier, the units of the two carriers being adapted to register. On

each of these units 41 are hingedly mounted a pair of brushes 42. These brushes are mounted on parallel shafts 43 which are disposed longitudinally of the plates 41 and have pinions 44 fixed thereon. The respective pinions cooperate with rack-bars 45 which are slidably mounted on the underside of the plates 41 and are yieldingly held in normal position by springs 45. These rackbars 45 are actuated by'sectors or pinions 46 which are provided with shafts 47 which extend through to the opposite side of the plate and have fixed thereon lever arms 48. These lever arms have rollers or projections 49 which are adapted to travel in cam-tracks 50, 50, respectively, which are mounted on the frame 1. The cam-tracks 50, 50 are so arranged that the two shafts are alternately and intermittently actuated at the proper time to move each of the brushes which constitute a cooperative pair alternately and intermittently toward each other. The conveyer which carries the brushes may be driven in any suitable manner-but preferably'by' a chainand sprocket gearing 51 so as to be actuated at the same speed as the main conveyer in order to bring the units or plates of both carriers successively lnto registering position. Normally the brushes of each pair are flared apart so as to straddle the side folders 9 on the main carrier, and the cam-tracks 50, 50 are so arranged with respect to the tracks 36, 36 37 for the main carrier, that the brushes 42 are operated after said, side folders have been operated and before the end folders have been operated.

v A second supplemental carrier is mounted on the-main frame. Thls carrier comprisesof paper or other wrapping material is laid on a tray '6 as it reaches the top of the frame 1 at the front end thereof. A loaf of bread or other piece to be wrapped is placed on this paper between the side folders 9 and end folding members 14,16. As the carrier moves ahead the sector 26 will-be actuated as the roller 35 on the lever arm 27 thereof passes into the offset or cam portion 37 of 1ts trackway 36, thereby moving the rackbar lengthwise. This movement of the rack-bar 25 will rotate the pinions 24 on the sleeves 12 on which the side folding members 9 are mounted and said side folding members are turned upwardly, thereby 25 folding the side portion of the sheet of wrapping material up against the side of theloaf. The offset portion 37 of the cam track 36 continues straight for a considerable distance'and the side folding members are thereby held in their upstanding position until the wrapper is completely folded. As the main carrier continues to move ahead, the tray 6 whose side folding members have been thus turned up is moved under a unit 41 .of the upper carrier so that the pair of brushes straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper. The cam tracks .50, 50 for the uppercarrier are so arranged that one brush of a pair 42 is first moved inwardly over the loaf and-thereby folds the upstanding portion of the sheet at one side thereof over on top of the loaf. The offset portion of the cam track 50 for this brushcontinues straight for a short distance and 45 then turns back so as to swing the brush back to normal position. The opposite brush is moved inwardly as the first actuated brush returns to normal position and thereby folds the opposite side of the sheet over on top 30 of the loaf. The trackway for the second actuated brush is not provided with a return cam, but the spring 45'' which is connected to the rack bar 45 restores the brush to normal position as the roller on the lever arm 48 passes out of the end of the trackway. When the brushes have completed the top folds of the wrapper, the lever extension 22 on the sector 21 will be actuated by the stud or roller 35 thereon passing into the 80 olfset portion of its trackway 36. This actuation of the sector 21 will move the rackbar 19 lengthwise and thereby rotate the shafts 13 on which the side folder members 14 for the end folds are mounted. This actuation of the members 14 will cause the package to assume the shape substantially as shown in Fig. 22 of the drawings. The continued movement of the main carrier moves the roller 35 on the lever extension 33 10f the sector 32 into the offset portion 37 b of its trackway 36 and thereby actuates said sector to move the rack-bar 30 lengthwise. This movement of the rack-bar 30 actuates the end-fold leaves or members 16 which fold the lower end flaps against the side end folds of the wrapper substantially as shown in Fig. 23. 'The package in this shape is carried under the second supplemental carrier on which the top end-folders 54 are mounted. The plates 53 on this supplemental carrier are so arranged that they register with the plates or trays 6 on the main carrier. The cam track 62 on the frame is so arranged, that at about the time p the tray 6 on the main carrier registers with a plate 53 on the upper carrier the lever ex tension 59 onthe sector 58 is actuated by reason of its roller or projection 61 passing into the olfset ortion of said trackway 62. The rack-bar 5 is thereby moved endwise and it in turn actuates the leaves or folding members 54 which fold the upper end flap down against the previously folded portions of the wrapper at the end of the leaf. The folding members 54 are arranged and adapted to clam the loaf when the fold is made with su cient force to hold the loaf in suspension; and, as the cam tracks for the main carrier are so arranged that the various fol ding devices on the main carrier are restored to normal position immediately after the upper end folding members on the supplemental carrier are brought into action, the

wrapped loaf is borne from the main carrier;

The supplemental carrier is extended beyond the end of the main carrier so as to overhang a conveyer 63; and the cam track 62 is arranged so t-hatthe folding members 54 are restored to normal position to release the wrapped loaf and permit it to fall upon the conveyer. The conveyer 63 may be arran ed to carry the wrapped loaves to any desira le place.

Obviously, the device admits of considerable modification without departing from my invention. Therefore, I do not w1sh to be limited to the specific constructlon and arrangement shown.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: A

1. A wrapping machine comprising an endless-belt carrier which is adapted to receivev thereon a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, folder devices arranged on said carrier to fold the side portions of said wrapping material up against the sides of the article, two pairs of oppositely disposed folders mounted on sald carrier and adapted to fold the side end portions of the wrapper inwardly, folder dethe article, a secondsupplemental carrierv mounted above said first mentioned carrier, folders mounted on said second, supplemental carrier and adapted to fold the upper end flaps of the wrapper upon the side and bottom end folds thereof, said folders being also adapted to grip the wrapped article, a conveyer located beneath said last mentioned supplemental carrier, means for re leasing the wrapped article from the folders on said second supplemental carrier, and means for successively actuating the several sets of folders. p

2. A wrapping machine comprising an endless-belt carrier having a multiplicity of supporting trays which are adapted to receive thereon a sheet of Wrapping material and ,the article to be wrapped, each of said trays having a pair of oppositely disposed folders adapted to fold. the side portions of said sheet of wrapping material up against the sides of the article, folders on said tray adapted to fold the side end portions of said wrapper inwardly, and folders on said tray adapted to fold the bottom end portion of said wrapper up upon thefolded side and portions thereof, a supplemental endlessbelt carrier above said first mentioned carrier, said supplemental carrier having there on a. multiplicity of pairs of longitudinally disposed brushes, the brushes of each pair being normally flared apart so as to straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper and being movable toward each other to fold the folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article, a second supplemental carrienabove said first mentioned carrier, said second supplemental carrier having a pair of folders adapted to fold the top end portions of the wrapper down upon the folded bottom and side end portions thereof, said last mentioned folders being arranged and adapted to grip the wrapped article, a eonveyer located beneath said second supplemental carrier, means for releasing the wrapped article'from the fold-- ers on said second supplemental carrier, means for simultaneously driving all of said carriers, and means for successively actuating the several sets of folders.

3. A wrapping machine comprising an endless-belt carrier which is provided with 'a multiplicity of separate supporting units,

each of said supporting units being adapted to receive thereon the sheet of wrapping maless-belt carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier in parallel relation thereto, said supplemental carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units each having a pair of brushes mounted thereon, said brushes being arranged to normally straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper and being movable toward each other to fold the folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the topof the article, means for alternately actuating the-brushes of each pair, a second supplemental endless belt carrier located above the said first mentioned I carrier in parallel relation thereto, said second supplemental carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units each having an oppositely disposed pair of folders adapted to fold the top end portions of the wrapper down upon the folded bottom and side end portions thereof, said folders being arranged and adapted to grip the wrapped article and' carry the same from the first mentioned carrier, means for releasing the wrapped article from said folders at a redetermined time, and means for successively actuating the several sets of folders.

4.. A wrapping machine comprising a carrier adapted to receive thereon a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, and having means for folding the side, side end and bottom end portions of the wrapper, a supplemental carrier located above said first mentioned carrier in cooperative relation thereto, a pair-of brushes mounted on said supplemental carrier and arranged to normally straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper, said brushes being movable toward each other, mean-s for alternately actuating said brushes, and means for simultaneously driving the first mentioned carrier and said supplemental carrier.

5. A wrapping machine comprising a continuously moving carrier adapted to receive a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, said carrier having thereon a pair of oppositely disposed folders adapted to fold the side portions of said sheet of wrapping material up against the sides of the article, a supplemental carrier above said first mentioned carrier adapted to move therewith, a pair of brushes hingedly mounted on said supplemental carrier and flared apart to. normally straddle the folded up side port-ions of the wrapper and adapted to bear upon the top of the article when moved inwardly, and means for alternately moving said brushes toward each other to fold the respective folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article.

6. A wrapping machine comprising a'continuously moving carrier adapted to receive thereon a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, means for folding the side portions of the sheet of wrapping material up against the sides of theartic'le, a supplemental carrier mounted above said first mentioned canrier in cooperative relation thereto and movable therewith, a pair of brushes mounted on said supplemental carrier and arranged to normally straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper and adapted to be moved inwardly into contact with the top of the article, and means for alternately and intermittently moving said brushes inwardly toward each other to fold the respective folded up side portions .of the wrapper over upon the top of the article.

7 A wrapping machine comprising a horizontal endless-belt carrier, said carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units, each" of said units being adapted to receive thereon. a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, and being each provided with devices for folding the side portions of the sheet up against the sides of the article and also for folding the side end and bottom,end portions of .the wrapper mwardly and upwardly, respectively, upon the ends of the article, a supplemental endless-belt carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier in parallel relation thereto, said supplemental carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units which are arranged to register with the units of said first mentioned carrier and each having a pair of brushes which are arranged to normally straddle the folded up side portions of the wrapper and being movable toward each other to fold the folded up Side portions of the wrapperTWer upon 'the'top of the article, means for actuating said brushes intermittently and alternately, a second supplemental endless-belt carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier in parallel relation thereto, said second supplemental carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units which are arranged to register with the units of said first mentioned carrier, each of the units of said second supplemental carrier haying devices thereon adapted to fold the upper end portions of the wrapper upon the folded side end and bottom end portions thereof and being also arranged and adapted to grip the wrapped article and carry the same from said first mentioned carrier, and means for releasing the Wrapped article from said last mentioned folding devices at a predetermined time.

8. A wrapping machine comprising a supporting frame, an endless-belt carrier mounted on said frame and comprising a ,ed to fold the bottom end portion of the wrapper up upon the folded side end portions thereof, all of said folders being hingedly mounted and adapted to lie normally substantially flush with the face of the supporting unit, and means for successively actuating said sets of folders, said means comprising a reciprocatory rack-bar which cooperates with a pinion on the pivot shaft of said hinged folders, each pair or set of folders having a separate rack-bar and each rack-bar being actuated by a sector having a lever arm thereon, a series of cam tracks arranged on said supporting frame so as to cooperate with the respective lever arms to actuate the same at a predetermined time, a supplemental endless-belt carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier in parallel relation thereto, said carrier comprising a multiplicity of separate units which are arranged to register with the units of said first mentioned carrier, a pair of brushes hinged longitudinally on each of said units of said supplemental carrier and arranged to normally straddle the folded up side portions of the Wrapper, means for intermittently and alternately moving said brushes toward each other, said means comprising rack-bars which cooperate with pinions on the hinge shafts of said brushes, sectors engaging said rack-bars and having lever arms thereon, and cam tracks arranged to cooperate with said lever arms whereby thesame are actuated at predetermined times, a

second supplemental carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier in parallel relation thereto, said second supplemental carrier comprisinga multiplicity of separate units which are arranged to reglster with the units of said first mentioned carrier, each of the units of said second supplemental carrier having folders hingedly mounted thereon and arranged to fold the top end'portion of the wrapper down upon the folded side end and bottom end portions thereof, and being also adapted to gr p the wrapped article and carry the same from the first mentioned carrier, and means for 9. A wrapping machine comprising a continuously moving carrier which is adapted to receive thereon a sheet of wrapping ma terial and the article to be wrapped, said carrier being provided with devices which are arranged and adapted to fold the side portions of the wrapping material up against the sides of the article to be wrapped, a supplemental carrier movable with said first mentioned carrier and correlated therewith, brushes mounted on said supplemental carrier, said brushes being located soas to be normally out of contact with the article to be wrapped, but being arranged and adapted to be alternately moved over the article in contact therewith so as tofold the folded up side portions of'the wrapper over upon the article, and devices arranged and adapted to fold the'end portions of the wrapper upon the end of the article after said side portions have been folded upon the article.

10. A wrapping machine comprising a continuously moving carrier which is adapted to receive thereon a sheet of. wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, said carrier having devices thereon which are arranged and adapted to fold the sheet of wrapping material up upon the sides of.

the article, also having thereon devices for folding the wrapper upon the opposite ends of the article, a supplemental carrier mounted in cooperative relation to said first mentioned carrier and movable therewith and flexible devices mounted on said supplemental carrier in position to be normally but of engagement with the article to be Wrapped but arranged and adapted to be moved over the top of the article in conbeing tact therewith so as to alternately fold the respective folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article. I

11. A wrapping machine comprising an endless belt carrier which-is adapted to rec'eive thereon a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, said carrier provided with devices which are arranged and adapted to' fold the wrapper upon the sides and ends of the article, a supplemental carrier arranged and adapted to travel in cooperative relation to said first mentioned carrier, said supplemental carrier having flexible devices movably mounted thereon and adapted to alternately fold the respective folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article.

12. A wrapping machine comprising a movable carrier which is adapted to receive thereon a sheet of wrapping material and the article to be wrapped, said carrier being provided with devices which are arranged and adapted to fold the side portions of the wrapper up against the sides of the article, and also having devices which are adapted to fold the side and bottom end portions of the wrapper up upon the ends of the article, a supplemental carrier located above said first mentioned carrier, said supplemental carrier having flexible devices .mounted thereon and adapted to fold the folded up side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article, and a second supplemental carrier located above said first mentioned carrier, said second supplemental carrier having devices thereon which are adapted to fold the top end portions of the wrapper upon the folded side and bottom end portions thereof.

.3. A wrapping machine comprising an endless belt main carrier which is adapted to receive thereon a sheet of wrapping material ,and'the article to be wrapped, said carrier being provided with devices which are arranged and adapted to fold the wrapper upon the sides and end of the article, a supplemental carrier arranged and adapted to travel with sand main carrier 1n cooperative relation therewith, said supplemental carrier beingprovided with flexible devices arranged and adapted to alternately fold the respective folded side portions of the wrapper over upon the top of the article, and a second supplemental carrier arranged and adapted to travel with said first mentioned main carrier in cooperative relation therewith, said second supplemental carrier being provided 'with devices which are arranged portionsvof the wrapper uponthe side and bottom end portions thereof.

Signed at St. Louis, Mo., this 17th day .of January, 1910.

HERBERT STERLING WILSON. Witnesses:

G. A. PENNINGTON, J. B. MEGOWN. f"

and adapted to fold the top end 

